Vegetable grading machine



Sept. 6, 1932. H. D. CLUTE VEGETABLE GRADING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Filed Oct. 29, 1930 A flomey Sept. 6, 1932. H. D. CLUTE VEGETABLE GRADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 6, 1932. H. D. CLUTE VEGETABLE GRADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A llorney Sept. 6, 1932. H. D. CLUTE 1,875,562

' VEGETABLE GRADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R jfi 23122 A 10 me y Patented Sept. 6, 1932 HARVEY D. GLUTEOF ROCKY FORD, COLORADO VEGETABLE GRADING MAcninE Application filed October 29, 1930. Serial No. 492,019.

The present invention relates to a machine for grading vegetables such as onions, potatoes and the like and has for its prime object to provide a structure which is compact and 5 convenient in its arrangement of parts, easy to use, inexepensive to manufacture, strong and durable, thoroughly efiicient and reliable in use and operation, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is de- 10 signed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the 5 combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine 2 embodying the features of my invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section therethrough, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 3 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are transverse vertical 25 sections taken substantially on the lines M,

55 and 6-6 respectively of Figure 3,

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section through one end of the endless grading apparatus,

Figure 8 is a detail View showing one of the bearing links,

Figure 9 is a transverse detail section through the grading apparatus taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 7 and Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing particularly one end of one of the grading cross members.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that numerals 5 denote a pair of 40 spaced parallel coextensive horizontally disposed side bars supported by legs 6. A pair of shafts 7 are journalled between the side bars 5 in spaced relation to each other and on each shaft is a pair of sprockets 8. Chains 9 are 45 trained over the sprockets 8 and include a plurality of links 10 having bearings 11 formed therein. Grading cross members 12 are V- shaped in cross section and at one edge are formed with beads 14 and at the other end 50 edges with sleeves 15 rockable on pins 16, the

ends of which extend into bearings 11. As will be apparent by the enlarged detail shown in Figure 7 the cross members on the upper runs of the chains are sufficiently spaced to allow a certain grade of vegetable to pass therebetween and in order thatthe vegetable may fall through the lower runs of these cross members, said cross members swing downwardly as is clearly illustrated in this View as will be. seen from Figure 10, the ends of the ends of the pivoted limb of each cross member 12 are cut away. to form spaces for the projecting ends of the pivot pin 16, these projected ends of course beingjournalled in the two chains and this construction permits the ends of. the free edge of the cross member to rest upon the chains when a cross member is travellingalong with the upper runs of the two chains. I A-chain and sprocket mechanism 17 operatively connects the shaft 7 to the outside of one of the side bars 6. One of the shafts 7 is operated by suitable gearing 18 in turn opera'ted by avshaft 19 journalled in a bracket 20 projecting outwardly fromthe other side bar and having a pulley 21 thereon tobe operated by a belt 22' from pulley 24: on the armature shaft of an electric motor 25. V

v This electric motor 25 is mounted on a shelf 26 across braces 27 longitudinally disposed between the legs 6. "Other cross braces 28 are also disposed between the legs 6. The braces 27 extend beyond onepair of the legs (Sand have attached thereto upwardly and outwardly inclined extensions 29. Down wardly and inwardly inclined bars 30 are sup ported by the eXtensions29 at their upper ends and their lower'e'nds aresupported on downwardly and outwardly inclined side bars 31, the ends of whichare attached in a suitable manner to the outer extremities of the braces 27. Across bar 32 is disposed between the upper ends ofthe side bars 30.

: Gross supports33 between the sidebars 30 have disposed thereon 1O longitudinal spaced parallel coextensive slatsBd which incline downwardlyand inwardly. A pair-of shafts 35 are journalled between the side bars31 and-have thereon sprockets 36 over which are trained endless chains 37 with relatively closely disposed slats 38 thereacross intermingled among which are enlarged slats 39 at regular spaced intervals.

A receiving trough 40 is mounted at the ends of the side bars 5 remote from the side bars 31 to receive the larger vegetables. Laterally inclined troughs 41 are mounted below the endless grading mechanism.

From the above detailed description it will be seen that the onions, potatoes or the like are thrown into the frame formed by the side bars on to the slats 34 allowing dirt and foreign matter to fall between the slats and causing the vegetables to roll down on to the endless conveyor having the cross slats 3-8 and 39. This endlessconveyor-is.operatively connected with the sprocket and chain mech- LI iSm by a sprocket and chain mechanism 44 and elevates the potatoes on to the endless grading mechanism. The Smaller potatoes,

' of course, fall between the upper run and the lower run of the grading cross member while the larger potatoes are conveyed over into the collecting trough 40.

It is thought that the construction, opera; ti'on, utility and adv ntages of this invention Will now be quite apparent tov those skilled in. this art without a more detailed description thereof.

The present embodiment of the inventionhas been disclosed in considerable detail merely for the purposes of exemplification since in actual practice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above des iptioni.

It will be apparent that the Chang-es in the details of construction, and the combination arrangement of parts may be resorted to. without depa-rting from the spirit or scope or the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my inventiiomwhat I claim a'snew is: i

1. A grading; conveyor comprising a. pair of endless members, roller supporting means for; the. same, a plurality of cross members pivot-ally connected with the endless members and each cross member being of V-shape in cross section, with the ends of its forward edge pivotally connected tothe endless memhers, said V-shaped members. being spaced apart a suffioient distance to form spaces beends of one limb thereof cut away and said limb having its free edge rolled to form a bearing, a rod passing through the bearing and having its ends connected with the endless members to pivotally connect the cross member with the endless members, the free edge of the other limb of each cross member resting on the endless members as said cross member travels along with the upper runs of the endless members.

In. testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVEY D. GLUTE.

tween them and their rear edges resting on theendless members as the cross members are travelling along with the upper runs of the endless members, and said cross members then depending from the endless members when; travelling along with the bottom runs of; the endless members.

A; grading conveyor comprisinga pair Qf' endless member-s,- roller supportingmeans forthe same, a plurality of cross members Vr-shaped in cross section and each having the 

